AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thankfully, the man seemed to buy my lie and swiped my card without another word. He handed me my receipt. “Have a good day.”
I wasn’t sure that was possible now. I jogged back to the RV and threw open the side door. It was easier for Eric to enter in undetected that way. When I could feel his presence near me, I closed the door, and Eric came out of the shadows. I still wasn’t used to it. While it was fascinating, it creeped me out. It would always remind me of his father and grandfathers appearing out of thin air in my apartment. Now to think that two of those men could be nearby.
Without a word, Eric flipped open one of the kitchen compartments and grabbed his thermos.
“What are you doing with that?”
“Protecting you.”
I went to swipe the thermos out of his hands, but Eric was too quick and raised it above his head. “Sorrel, we knew it would probably come down to this—please don’t make it any harder than it has to be.”
“Is it so easy for you to leave me?” Tears welled in my eyes.
He reached out and ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “It’s the hardest thing I’ll ever do, but I love you enough to do it.”
“No. There has to be another way. I’ll figure out how to use the light within me. And we don’t even know if your family is still here. The coroner died three days ago. Let’s just go. We’ll find someone who can get you the IDs you need to travel. I’ll pay any price.” I sobbed.
Eric took me in his arms, and I soaked his shirt with the flood coming out of my eyes, clinging to him like a child.
“The curse will have its way,” he whispered.
As much as I hated that, it reminded me. “Your book said you had to help me find my book. You yourself admitted you are bound to do what it says.”
He let out a heavy breath. “I will not let my family hurt you.”
“Maybe they moved on. I mean, what could the coroner tell them?”
“Enough that they felt they needed to kill him.”
A chilling shiver went through me. “We won’t go to the vineyard. Let’s head to LA and put some feelers out for passports. Or go back to Atlanta where you had contacts.”
“Sorrel.” He squeezed me tighter, still holding the thermos. “We have to go to the vineyard. There is a reason your father always came to you there. Something happened there. I know it.”
“This can’t be the end.”
“Maybe it’s a new beginning.”
“For us, or me?”
He remained silent, giving me my answer.
“Eric, I love you.” My voice pleaded with him to understand that. Pleaded for him to change his mind.
“I know, and it’s why I’ll die happy if it comes to that.” He kissed my cheek and let me go.
I watched in horror as Eric tipped the wolfsbane into the thermos and filled it with water. He whispered, “I am ready to pay the price.” A plume of steam came up out of the thermos before Eric capped it. Eric’s eyes met mine. “This is just in case.”
I had no words. I turned from him to head to the driver’s seat, but he grabbed my hand and tugged me toward him, letting the thermos drop by his feet.
He brushed his thumb across my trembling lips. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you. I’m angry at the situation. And I’m confused. My heart is telling me we are meant to be together, while my head says it’s impossible. I want to believe my heart.”
Eric placed his hand on my chest, over my heart. “It’s a beautiful thought. You’re beautiful.” He took off my cap. My hair cascaded down and fell onto my shoulders. He ran his fingers through it while pressing kisses against my jaw.
I gripped his shirt and removed any space between us. “Please don’t leave me,” I whispered.
His lips met mine. His tongue urged my mouth to part. He tasted me deeply, making me gasp and him groan. Minute after minute after minute we drank each other in, yet I still felt thirsty for him. It was a quench that would never be satisfied. I felt the need to run my hands over his face, hair, and chest. My fingers wanted to memorize everything about him, from the way his stubble felt like a fine brush to the firmness of his pectoral muscles and the ripples in his abs. He seemed to feel the same way as his tongue prodded as far as it would go while his hands gently and carefully trickled down my body like a waterfall in slow motion.
It was a kiss like no other I had experienced or shared with Eric. It was a goodbye kiss.
